Automatic hat finishing machine



21, 1939- l. A. EICHENBAUM AUTOMATIC HAT FINISHING MACHINE Filed June 7,1955 12 Sheets-Sheet l Era-.16

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

l. A. EICHENBAUM 2,148,153

AUTOMATIC HAT FINISHING MACHINE Feb. 21, 1939.

Filed June '7, 1935 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 21, 1939. L A EICHENBAUM 2,148,153

AUTOMATIC HAT FINISHING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Shee 3 Filed June 7, 1935INVENTOR. I /e=v//va A EcWA-AMA an ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 21, L EICHENBAUM AUTOMATIC HAT FINISHING MACHINE Filed June 7, 193512 Sheets-Sheet 5 WWW f '1 l VIIIIIIIIII'IIIIIIIII w mi! m Y 4 I] l /15my 2. J3 f rlfflllli" \Y J I L l 1 INVENTOR.

, Y Jew/v A fleV/ENJAUM awrwsss: g P? I Search Room l2 Sheets-Sheet 11Filed June 7, 1955 l: v I INVENTOR.

/4 //?l //V6. A. ECHE/VJA 0M NIT/V2155. Y Pg) I ATTORNEYS Patented Feb.21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC HAT FINISHING MACHINEIrving A. Eichenbaum, New York, N. Y. Application June '7, 1935, SerialNo. 25,401

24 Claims.

This invention relates to hat making machines and more particularly itpertains to machines for performing such operations as are necessary tothe finishing of a blocked or otherwise shaped hat form.

One object of the present invention is to improve the construction andmode of operation of hat finishing machines and to provide such machineswith mechanism which will effect a better finishing operation than ispossible to attain with such machines as now constructed with which I amfamiliar.

In the so-called finishing of a hat, a blocked hat form is subject toseveral finishing operations known as ironing, pouncing, luring androunding, which operations are performed in a predetermined sequence inorder to produce the desired result.

A feature of the present invention consists in the provision of amachine in which the several operations afore-mentioned are performedautomatically in accordance with a predetermined sequence of operation.

Another feature of the invention resides in a novel construction andarrangement of parts whereby a plurality of blocked hat forms may beoperated upon simultaneously, thus greatly increasing the output of themachine over those machines which operate upon but a single form. 30Another feature of the invention resides in a novel construction andarrangement of parts whereby a number of blocked hat forms which, asabove stated, are adapted to be operated upon simultaneously, areautomatically moved simultaneously from operative relation with onefinishing tool to operative relation with the next succeeding finishingtool as the several operations are completed.

Still a further feature of the invention consists in the provision of amachine wherein, the hat forms when they are removed from the machinewill be completelyfinished as hat forms and will need no furthermanipulation.

Other features of the invention relate to certain novel and improvedconstructions, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafterdescribed and particularly pointed out in the claims, the advantages ofwhich will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in theart.

The invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawingsillustrating the invention in its preferred form and the followingdetailed description of the constructions therein shown.

55 In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a hat working machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view on an enlarged scale, the figurebeing partly broken 5 away and partly in section,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken in a plane just above thecam plate and substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 5,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional 10 view on an enlargedscale, the same being a composite view with portions thereof being takenon different horizontal planes,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale, the viewbeing taken substantially 15 on the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 on a slightly reduced scale andshowing the several parts in the position which they assume with thecrown ironing tool upon the top of a hat crown,

Figure 7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline I| of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line8-8 of Figure 4,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale,taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 1,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyon the line Ill-I0 of Figure 1,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a crown workingtool,

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of a hat form carrying spindleillustrating its driving and operating means,

Figure 13 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken substantially onthe line l3|3 of Figure 9,

Figure 14 is a fragmentary top plan view of a hat brim ironing tool,

Figure 15 is a view in elevation of a hat brim ironing tool,

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the lineIii-l6 of Figure 15,

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the linell-l'l of Figure 16,

Figure 18 is a detail sectional view of a hat crown ironing tool,

Figure 19 is a detail top plan view of a hat brim pouncing tool,

Figure 20 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline 20-20 of Figure 19,

Figure 21 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline 2I-2l of Figure 20,

Figure 22 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line22-22 of Figure 13,

Figure 23 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line2323 of Figure 22,

Figure 24 is a detail view, partly in section and partly in elevation,illustrating a hat crown pouncing tool,

Figure 25 is a detail sectional view of a hat crown pouncing tool,

Figure 26 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line26-26 of Figure 25,

Figure 2'7 is a detail view in elevation of a hat brim luring tool, theview being taken substantially at right angles to that at which the toolis illustrated in Figure 8,

Figure 28 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line2828 of Figure 8,

Figure 29 is a detail sectional view of a hat crown luring tool,

Figure 30 is a detail top plan View of a hat brim trimming tool,

Figure 31 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the controlmechanism,

Figure 32 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the several controlcircuits, switches, and operating means associated therewith, and

Figure 33 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the heating circuits ofthe several hat form finishing tools.

A machine constructed in accordance with the present invention ispreferably of substantially circular form as more clearly shown inFigure 1, and includes a plurality of tools for performing the variousoperations incident to the finishing of a hat blank or form moreparticularly of the felt type.

In its illustrated embodiment the several tools are arranged in acircular series and the several hat forms or blanks are intermittentlymoved to position to be successively operated upon by the various toolsin accordance with a predetermined sequence of operation depending uponthe location of the tools. The machine is automatic in its operation andthe hat forms are moved as above described, automatically, after theoperation of the machine has been started.

During the operation of the machine the finished hat forms are adaptedto be removed from the machine and replaced by unfinished hat forms at apredetermined feeding point, this operation being performed manually byan attendant or operative.

In its illustrated embodiment the machine includes a base 50 which ispreferably in the form of a fiat circular plate and which is preferablysupported by casters or the like 5i in order that the machine may have adegree of portability. The reference character 52 designates a cap plateand the cap plate is supported in spaced relation to the base plate 50in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Mounted above the base plate 50 there is a cam plate 53. This cam plateis stationary and is supported by means of collars or the like 54 whichsurround bolts 55 extending vertically from the base plate 50. Thecollars 54 are preferably in the form of sleeves which surround thebolts 55 and are of the proper length to support the cam plate 53 in asubstantially true horizontal plane. Mounted above the cam plate 53there is a lift plate 56 which is adapted for vertical movement in amanner to be hereinafter more specifically described. The cap plate 52heretofore mentioned rests upon sleeves 51, the lower ends of which restupon the cam plate 53.

These sleeves 5T surround the bolts 55. The cap plate rests upon theupper ends of these sleeves 57 and the bolts 55 are secured in positionin such a manner as to clamp the base plate, cam plate and cap platetogether to provide a rigid structure.

Arranged centrally of the machine and extending vertically thereof thereis a shaft 60, an intermediate portion of which is formed with a screwthread bl. This shaft is mounted at its lower end in a bearing 62carried by the base plate 50 and at its upper end in a bearing 63carried by the under face of the cap plate 52. Upon its upper end thisshaft 62 carries a gear 64 with which meshes a gear 65 carried by ashaft 66 of a suitable reduction gear 51 which in turn is driven by amotor 68. This gear train provides the driving means for the shaft 60.The lift plate 56 heretofore mentioned has a bearing 69 which isthreaded for engagement with the thread 5! in such a manner that as theshaft 60 is rotated, the lift plate 56 will be raised or lowereddepending, of course, upon the direction of rotation of the shaft 60.

By reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that there are twelvestations at which the hat forms are subjected to the various operations.incident to the finishing thereof. Secured to the base plate 50 andprojecting vertically therefrom at each of these stations, there is aleg 10, these legs being secured to the base plate 50 by bolts or thelike H and being located at points closely adjacent the outer peripheryof said base plate. These vertically extending legs 10 are preferablyformed of metal and are substantially U-shaped in cross sectional form,as best illustrated in Figure 3, and at their lower end, these legs eachhave inwardly projecting portions 12, the purpose of which will behereinafter more specifically described. These several legs form meansfor mounting certain portions of the mechanism incident to the operationof the machine and upon their upper ends, said legs support an annularguard member 13 which is substantially angular in cross sectional formand which preferably extends entirely around the machine, as bestillustrated in Figure 1. This angular guard 13 may be secured to theupper ends of the legs 10 by bolts or the like 15, as best illustratedin Figure 8. The reference numeral 16 designates a circular table whichis adapted for movement within the guard 13 in order to bring the hatforms successively to position for operation thereon by the varioustools, and the hat forms are carried by a plurality of hat blocks 11best illustrated in Figure '7.

Mounted on the inwardly projecting portions of each of the legs 10 thereis a pair of bearings 80, which bearings serve to mount grooved rollers8|. The grooved rollers 8| form the supporting means of a ring gear 82having gear teeth 83 on its peripheral edge and being formed with anangular rib or flange 85 of a cross sectional shape corresponding to theshape of the groove in the rollers 8i. By this means the ring gear 82 issupported in operative position. As best illustrated in Figure 3 thisring gear 82 is driven by a motor 86, the shaft of which is providedwith a driving pinion 81, which in turn meshes with the teeth 83 of saidring gear. This ring gear pro vides the means by which the table 16heretofore mentioned is supported and moved in its circular path inorder that the various hat forms being operated upon may be movedsuccessively into position relative to the various tools of the maanaiaa3 chine. The construction and mechanism by which this result isaccomplished is best illustrated in Figure 8, in which the referencenumeral 88 designates a plurality of standards carried by the ring gear82 and projecting vertically therefrom. Surrounding each of thesestandards 88 there is a sleeve 88 which acts as a spacer for a ring (seeFigures 4 and 9), the lower ends of the spacer sleeves 88 havingengagement with the ring gear 82 while their upper ends form a rest forthe ring 90. These elements, the ring gear 82, standards 88, spacersleeves 89, and ring member 80, are clamped together to provide aunitary rigid structure, by means of nuts 9| upon the ends of thestandards 88. As best shown in Figure 6, the circular table 18heretofore referred to, is supported and carried by the ring member 80and is connected thereto by relatively short supporting legs 82, eachthreaded at one end into sockets 83 carried by the under face of thetable, the opposite end of each being threaded into sockets 84 carriedby the ring 80. By this construction and arrangement, it will be seenthat as the ring gear 82 is driven by the motor 88, as heretoforedescribed, the table 18 will be rotated with said ring gear.

The hat blocks 11 heretofore mentioned are adapted to be removablycarried by the upper ends of spindles I 00. As best shown in Figure '7,each of these spindles I00 has its upper end reduced as at IN andsecured to the reduced end of each there is a plate I02 provided withupwardly projecting prong members I03. Each hat block 11 is cut out asat I04 to provide a central portion I05 upon the lower end of which aplate I08 is secured. This plate I06 has a plurality of openings I01which receive the prongs I03 to secure each hat block to the spindle insuch a manner that as the spindle is rotated, the hat block willlikewise be rotated. This construction is shown in Figure 7. As bestillustrated in Figures 3 and 4, these several spindles I00 are carriedby the ring gear 82 and the ring member 00 in order that they may travelwith the table 18, and as best illustrated in Figures 5 and 9, projectto a point above the top of said table, the table being notched as atI08 to receive said spindles I00, the several parts being so constructedand arranged that the plate I02 upon which the hat forms are supportedwill be substantially flush with the upper surface of the table 18.

These spindles I00 are all of substantially the same construction andare all mounted in substantially the same manner, and the description ofthe construction and mounting of one will, therefore, be sufficient.

Referring to Figure 12, it will be seen that the spindle I00 is mountedat its lower end in a bearing H0 in the inner or free end of an arm III,while its upper portion is mounted in a bearing I I2 in the inner orfree end of an arm I I3. These arms II I and H3 are retained in spacedrelation by means of a bolt II4 which passes through a spacer sleeveII5, the arms III and H3 being clamped to their respective ends of thespacer sleeve I I5 by a nut I I8. The bolt I I4 and spacer sleeve II5are connected to the arms III and H3 at a point intermediate their ends.The outer end of the arm III has a bearing H1 and the outer end of thearm II3 has a bearing II8. These bearings receive a suitable shaft II8mounted at its lower end in the ring gear 82 (see Figure 8), the upperend of the shaft being suitably mounted in the ring member 80. The armsIII and H3, the spindle I00, the bolt I I4, and'the spacer sleeve IIIare so connected together as to form a rigid frame-like structure whichis pivotally mounted to swing about the shaft II8 for a purpose to behereinafter described. Mounted upon the spindle I00 there is a cammember I20 which is of substantially the same contour as the hat blocksupon which the forms are mounted and this cam member is adapted todetermine the extent of swinging movement in one direction of the framemember shown in Figure 12, in a manner to be hereinafter morespecifically described.

By reference to Figure 13 it will be seen that the standards 88 passthrough projecting lugs I28 which extend inwardly of the ring member 80.Projecting from each of these lugs there is an arm I28 to which isconnected a spring I21, the other end of which is connected as at I28 toan arm I29 which in turn is attached to the bearing H2. The spring I21tends to pull the structure which comprises the arms I I I and I I8inwardly of the machine or in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 13.

Carried by the cam plate 53 there is a bracket I35 upon the upper end ofwhich there is an arm I38 which is held in spaced relation with respectto the cam plate 53 by a standard I31. This standard I31 forms a shaftfor mounting a wheel or the like I38 and this wheel in each instance, byreason of its engagement with a cam of a hat block spindle, determinesthe swinging engagement of the arms II I and H3 and the consequentswinging movement of the hat block spindle carried thereby. It is to beunderstood that there will be one of these wheels and its mounting foreach of the crown operating tools, it not being necessary to employ thisconstruction in connection with the brim operating tools. By thisconstruction it will be apparent that as the cams I20 are rotated, thespindles which carry the hat blocks will have a swinging movementcorresponding to the contour of the cam I20 and that, therefore, the hatblock supporting spindle may be caused to follow a swinging movementwhich corresponds to the oval or other shape of a crown being operatedupon by the crown tools.

Carried by the lower end of each of the hat block spindles I00, there isa roller I40, and these rollers are adapted'for engagement with the camplate 53 in order that the hat block spindles may in their movement fromone operating position to the next succeeding operating position, bemoved outwardly of the rotary table in order that the hat blocks and theforms carried thereby will not interfere with the tools during therotating movement of the table. The cam plate 83 is provided with aplurality of recesses I in its peripheral edge, and there will be one ofthese notches for each station at which an operation is performed. Bythis construction it will be recognized that as the table 18 is rotatedand the rollers I40 engage the peripheral edge of the cam plate 58, theseveral hat block spindles will be rocked outwardly about their shaftH8, and that as the rollers I40 pass into the recesses I, the hat blockspindles will be permitted to move inwardly of the machine so that thecams I20 carried thereby may a driving element, preferably in the formof a 15 sprocket wheel I45, and carried by the shaft M9 there is asprocket wheel I46, and passing around these sprocket wheels there is adriving chain I41. The spindles I00 are adapted to be rotated by thedriving chain I41 from the sprocket I46 and the sprocket I46 will bedriven in a manner now to be described. Carried by the shaft M9 thereare two gears I48 and I49, the gear I48 being the larger of the twogears. Loosely mounted on the shaft 60 there is a beveled gear I50.Extending radially of the machine and mounted in bearing brackets I5Iand I52, there is a shaft I53. As best illustrated in Figure 3 of thedrawings, there are twelve of these shafts I53, there being one for eachstation at which an operation is performed and at the inner end of eachshaft there is a beveled gear I52 which meshes with the beveled gearI50. The outer end of each of these shafts carries a beveled gear I54,each of. which meshes with a beveled gear I55 carried by a shaft I56,and upon the upper end of which there is a gear I51. The gear I51 oncertain of the shafts I56 is smaller or of less number of teeth thanthose on the remaining shaft, as best illustrated in Figure 4, and thesesmaller gears are designated I58. It will also be noted that the smallergear I58 will be located in a lower plane on its respective shaft I56than the plane of the larger gears I51 on their respective shafts. Bythis construction it will be apparent that as the ring gear and itsassociated parts is rotated, the gears I48 and I49 will be moved orbrought into position to engage the gears I51 and I58. Thus, when it isdesired to drive the hat block spindles at low speed, the larger gearI48 will be brought into engagement with the smaller driving gear I58and when it is desired to drive the hat block spindles at a high speed,the smaller gears I49 will engage the gear I51.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that as the shaft 60 is rotated,through the medium of the beveled gear I50, the shafts I53 will bedriven, and that through the medium of the beveled gears I54 and I55,the several shafts I56 will be driven in order to drive their respectivegears I51 or I58, as the case may be. As best shown in Figures 3 and 5,a sprocket IBI may be driven by a chain I60 loosely carried by the shaft60, and this chain I60 also passes around a sprocket I62 driven at asuitable speed by means of a suitable motor I63. As best illustrated inFigure 3, a suitable tension device in the form of a sprocket I64carried by an arm I65 pivotally mounted as at I66, and connected to aspring I61 anchored as at I68, is provided, this tension device servingto take up the slack in the chain I60. The sprocket I6I is operativelyconnected with the beveled gear I50 in order to drive the latter. Thedifferent speeds of rotation of the hat block spindles is desirablesince a better effect is had if the hat blocks and forms carried therebyare rotated at a relatively high speed during operation upon the crownsof the forms, as distinguished from the operation on the brims of theforms, since the travel of the brims during the operation is continuousin one direction, while in operating upon the crowns a greater area isto be covered and the movement of the tool relative to the crown is bothin a horizontal plane and a vertical plane in order that the tool mayride upwardly to at least the top center of the crowns.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, the several stations together with thetools for performing the armies operations at these stations, are shown.The tool designated C is a crown iron, and reading clockwise of thefigure, the tool D is a brim iron, the tool E is a crown iron, the toolF a brim pouncer, the tool G a crown pouncer, the tool H a brim lure,the tool I a crown lure, the tool K a brim pouncer, the tool L a crownpouncer, the tool M a brim lure, and the tool N a crown lure. At thestation designated 0, the hat blocks are removed from the block spindlesand at this point a brim trimmer may be located if desired in order thatthe brims may be rounded to the proper width at this station, and it isat this station that the hat block carrying the finished hat form isremoved from the hat block spindles, and a hat block carrying anunfinished hat form substituted for the one removed.

There are two crown irons and the specific construction of these crownirons is more clearly shown in Figures 5 and 18. Referring to Figure 18,each crown iron consists of an ironing member or element I10 in which ismounted in any suitable manner an electric heating element I1I suppliedwith current through a suitable conductor I12. Rods I13 extending fromthe ironing member I10, operate in bearings I14, (see Figure 5) carriedby a block I15 mounted upon a shaft I16, (see Figure 11) which in turnis mounted in downwardly extending ends I11 of arms I18 projectingoutwardly of a casting I19, which casting is pivotally mounted upon theupper ends of two levers I and I8I as at I82 and I83 respectively. Asbest shown in Figure 2, at the outside of the machine there are twolevers I80, there being but one lever IBI on the inner end of thecasting I19. The lower ends of the levers I80 and I8I are pivotallyconnected as at I84 and I85 respectively, to a casting I86 carried bythe lift plate 56. Depending from the cap plate 52 there are two slottedmembers I88 each provided with a curved slot I89, and the shaft whichforms the pivotal point I82 of the levers I80 carries rollers on itsends, which rollers travel in the slots I89 of the members I88.

By this construction and arrangement of parts it will be apparent thatas the lift plate rises by rotation of the screw I6I, the levers I80 andIBI will be elevated, and as the shaft which forms the pivotal point I82 follows the contour of the slots I88, the crown iron I10 will followthe contour of the crown and will move from the position in which it isshown in Figure 5 to the position in which it is shown in Figures 6 and11, which position is at the top center of the crown. Means is providedto maintain pressure of the crown iron against the crown of the hat formbeing operated upon thereby, and this tensioning device consists of aspring I89 anchored as at I90 at one end and connected to a lever I9I atthe other end, which lever is pivoted upon the shaft which forms thepivotal point I82. The lever I9I carries a grooved roller I83, andpassing around said roller there is a double flexible member I94 whichpasses around a double grooved roller I95, and is connected as at I96 toa cross member carried by the rods I13 heretofore mentioned. By thisconstruction, the tension of the spring I89 at all times exerts a pullto rock the lever I9I and through the medium of the double flexiblemember I94 forces the crown iron outwardly and maintains it inengagement with the crown of the hat form being operated upon.

As best illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the wheel I38, which follows thecontour cam I20 and which is slidably mounted upon the shaft I31, is

adapted for movement vertically of the shaft by means of a lever 200.The lever 290 is pivotally mounted as at 2M and has a forked end 202which engages the carriage 203 in which the wheel I38 is mounted. Theopposite end of this lever 288 is pivotally connected as at 204 to alever 205 pivotally connected as at 206 to the lift plate 56. By thisarrangement of parts, as the lift plate is elevated in the mannerheretofore described, the lever 209 is rocked to the position in whichit is shown in Figure 6, causing the hat form supporting spindles torotate in a substantially true circular path. As the lift plate 56descends, the wheel I38 assumes the position illustrated in Figure 5, inwhich position it engages the oval part of the cam I20, causing the hatform supporting spindles to travel in a path conforming to the ovalshape of the cam I28, which shape corresponds to the general shape ofthe hat crown.

Each of the crown ironing tools, the crown pouncers and the crown luresare mounted in the manner just described in order that the said toolsmay follow the contour of the hat crown during operation of the toolsthereon, and it will therefore be unnecessary to describe the mountingof each of these tools in detail.

The brim ironing tool is shown in detail in Figures 14 through 17,inclusive. It will be seen by reference to these figures that this toolconsists of a framework 2! mounted upon the cam plate 53. The frameworkconsists of two vertical standards 2| I, each of which is provided witha guide 2 l2 and in which there is slidably mounted a block 2i3.Projecting from the ends of this block 2 l3 there are links 2| 4, andpivotally connected to each of said links there is a lever M5. The innerends of these levers 2 l5 are brought together to provide means formounting a roller 2l6 (see Figure 4), which roller is in the path of anoperating member 2 I 1 carried by the lift plate 56. The levers 2i5 arepivotally connected as at 2l8 to the sleeve 51 surrounding the bolt 55.Mounted between the frame members 2 upon shafts 229, there are sprocketwheels 22l and passing around these sprocket wheels there is a chain222. The chain has pivotally mounted thereon a plurality of individualirons 223, which in their passage around the lower portion of thesprockets 22I, pass in the presence of an electric heater 224 in orderthat the irons may be heated to the proper degree when they passthereby. 225 designates the heating element of an iron 226. The iron 226has an extending arm 221 pivotally connected as at 228 and 229 to links238 and 23l, respectively, which links are mounted respectively, at 232and 233 in a bracket 234. The bracket 234 is slidably mounted upon twostandards 235, and is held in its down position by means of a spring 236connected at one end to the bracket as at 231, the other end beingconnected to the frame as at 238. The iron 226 is maintained inengagement with the crown of the hat form by a spring 239 connected asat 240 to the arm 221 at one end, its other end being connected as at 2to one of the arms 235. By this construction it will be seen that theiron 226 is rocked about the pivotal points 228, 229, 232 and 233 in adirection to the right in Figure 16, and is thus maintained inengagement with the crown X of the hat form and throughout the width ofthe brim thereof through an ironing operation.

As the machine is operated to position a hat brim beneath the iron 226,the lift plate 56 will be in its lowermost position, rocking the levers2| 5 about its pivotal point 2 I8, which elevates the outer end of thelever against the action of the springs 245. Elevation of the outer endsof the levers 2l5 raises the block 2I3 through the medium of the links2. Elevation of the block 2l3 moves the standards 235, which are carriedthereby, in a vertical direction. The plates- 235' are adjustablycarried by the standards 235 and are so positioned upon said standardsthat, as the standards are moved upwardly as heretofore described, theplates engage the under face of the bracket 234 as at 234' in Figure 16and elevate the same to move the iron 226 into spaced relation with theirons 223 in order that the hat brim may be inserted therebetweenwithout buckling or creasing of the hat brim.

The sprockets 22l are driven by means of a chain 250 which passes arounda sprocket 25l carried by the shaft of one of the sprockets 22l. Thischain 250 also passes around a sprocket 252 carried by a stub shaft 253upon which there is a beveled gear 254, which meshes with a beveled gear255 carried by a shaft 256 mounted in a suitable bearing 251. The lowerend of this shaft 256 carries a sprocket 251 which is engaged by a chain258 (see Figures 3 and 15). This chain 258 is driven by a sprocket 259driven by a suitable reduction gear 268 which, in turn, is driven by asuitable motor 26I (see Figure 3).

The brim iron, brim pouncers, and brim lures are all driven insubstantially the same manner.

The brim pouncing tools are illustrated in detail in Figures 9 and 19through 22, inclusive. As best illustrated in Figure 9, a pair ofstandards 215 extend vertically from the cam plate 53 and they aresecured thereto by suitable fastenings 216. The upper portion of thesestandards is in the form of a frame in which is mounted a shaft 211,which shaft carries a cam slotted member 218. The reference numeral 219designates a pouncing block adapted for operation upon the under face ofa hat brim, the reference numeral 280 designating a pouncing blockadapted for operation upon the upper surface of a hat brim. The pouncingblock 219 is carried by a block 28i slidably mounted in the member 282of the frame, and this block 28l has a roller 283 which projects intothe cam slot of the cam slotted member 218, as best illustrated inFigure 22. By this construction, as the shaft 211 is rotated to drivethe cam 218, the pouncing block 219 will be given a plurality ofrelatively short reciprocations. The reference numeral 284 designates asuitable abrasive material of which sand paper is one very good example.This abrasive material is carried upon rollers 285 and 286 which providefor the adjustment of various portions of the abrasive material as itbecomes worn and unfit for use. The rollers 285 and 286 are mounted in asuitable housing 281 having hinged covers 288 to prevent entrance of thematerial removed from the hat brim to the interior of the housing 281.Suitable receptacles 289 are employed to catch and retain the materialremoved from the hat brim by the pouncing operation, which material isdesignated 298 in Figure 20. The upper pouncing block 288 is ofsubstantially the same construction as the one described and comprisesan abrasive strip 29l carried by rollers 292 and 293 suitably mounted ina housing 294. The housing 294 is formed by two members pivotallyconnected at 295 in order that access to the rollers 292 and 293, forthe purpose of renewing the abrasive strip, may be had.

This upper pouncing block is carried by vertically disposed standards296, which in turn are carried by a block 291 slidably mounted in themember 298 of the frame. This block has a roller 299 which also travelsin the cam slot of the cam slotted member 278. The arrangement of thecam in the cam slotted member 218 is such that the pouncing blocks 219and 280 will be moved in opposite directions when the device is inoperation.

The shaft 211 carries a sprocket wheel 300 around which passes a chain30H, which chain also passes around a sprocket wheel 302, (see Figure 9)carried by a shaft 303, which shaft is driven in the same manner as theshaft 253 heretofore described as a portion of the brim ironing toolsand illustrated in Figure 16.

The upper pouncing block 280, as best illustrated in Figure 21, ismovable also in a plane at right angles to that previously described,and for this purpose, the said block 280 is carried by an arm 304 havingan extension 305 which is slidably mounted in guides 306 which, in turn,are formed with arms or brackets 307. Connected as at 308 to theextension 305, there is a coil spring 309, the opposite end of which isconnected as at 3l0 to the cross bar 3H, which connects the upper endsof a pair of uprights M2. The spring 309 tends to force the upperpouncing block 280 towards the left in Figure 21 and maintain the upperpouncing block in engagement with the crown so that the entire uppersurface of the brim will be subjected to the action of the abrasivestrip carried by the pouncing block.

The arms or brackets 30?, heretofore mentioned, form a part of a casting313, the body portion of which is hollowed out as at 3H, and thiscasting is slidably mounted between the two uprights 3l2, heretoforementioned. These uprights 3|2 are secured as at 3l5 to the block 291,heretofore described. Connected as at 3|8 to the casting 3|3 at one endand as at 3i? to a cross pin 3? which extends between the uprights 3i 2,there is a spring 3l9, and this spring tends to exert a downward pullupon the casting 3l3 to maintain the top pouncing block 280 in operativeengagement with the brim through a pouncing operation.

Each of these pouncing tools has a lever 320 (see Figure 4) which issimilar in its construction and operation to the levers 2l5, heretoforedescribed in connection with the brim ironing tool, and these levers 320operate in the following manner to open the brim pouncing tools duringthe time the hat forms are being moved from one station to another. Butone of the levers 320 will be described. The links 214 which areconnected to the arms of these levers 320 are also connected to theprojecting stub shafts 32l carried by a lift block 322 see Figure 22,which is connected to the guides 298 in such a manner that-as the innerend of the lever 320 is depressed, the lift block 322 and the slidingblock 297 will be elevated. This will elevate the uprights 3I2, andthrough the medium of the plate 323, the casting 3l3 will be raised toelevate the top pouncing block 280, it being understood that the camslot in the cam slotted member is of sufficient depth to permit of suchoperation without engagement of the roller 299 with the bottom of saidslot. This lifting of the pouncing block 280 will relieve the pressureof the pouncing block upon the hat brim and leave the hat form free tomove without damage thereto.

A roller 324 mounted as at 325 on a cross bar 328 which extends betweenthe standards 215 is adapted to engage with the cam H20 of each hat formspindle during the pouncing operation in order that the hat formoperated upon will at all times be maintained in proper engagement withthe pouncing tool.

The brim luring tools, of which there are two, are shown in detail inFigures 8, 2'7 and 28. These tools are mounted for operation in the samemanner as are the brim ironing tools heretofore described. They are,however, slightly different in construction and these differences willnow be described.

Each brim luring tool includes a plate 330 in which there is suitablymounted an electric heating element 33l supplied with electricity by asuitable conductor 332. This plate is pivotally mounted as at 333 uponsuitable links 334 in order that the same may be moved towards and awayfrom the actual luring tool. The luring tool comprises an endless belt336 having a canvas or other suitable facing 331. This endless belt isadapted to travel around pulleys 338, as best illustrated in Figure 28,the pulleys being driven by a chain corresponding to the chain 250 whichdrives the travelling member of the brim ironing tools and which isdriven in the same manner as the chain in said brim ironing tools. Theendless belt and its canvas cover pass in engagement with the plate 330when the latter is elevated into contact therewith the press cloth beingheated by said contact. The upper flight of the endless belt passes overrollers 339 and mounted directly thereabove, there is a heating plate340, heated by a suitable electric heater 34l supplied with current by asuitable conductor 342. The plate 340 is adapted to be slightly spacedfrom the top flight of the endless belt with its canvas covering and thebrim is adapted to be positioned between the endless belt and its canvascover and said plate during the luring operation. The plate 330heretofore mentioned, is raised and lowered by means of a pivoted lever345 pivotally mounted as at 346 (see Figure 27) and which is manuallyoperated for the purpose described. When the plate is in its upposition, a suitable support 341 may be employed upon which the lever345 rests to maintain said plate in said up position.

The upper plate 340 is mounted in the same manner as are the upper ironsof the brim ironing tools described in connection with the constructionand operation of these tools, as illustrated in Figure 16.

By this construction, with each operation of the machine to move a hatcrown from one station to the next, the brim luring tools will be openedin the same manner as are the brim ironing tools in order that therewill be no interference between these tools and the hat crowns as theyare introduced to and removed from the luring tools.

The crown pouncers of which one is shown in Figure 24 of the drawingsare mounted and operated in the same manner as the crown ironsheretofore described. The actual tool, however, is of slightly diiferentconstruction and this Will now be described. By reference to Figures 24through 26, it will be seen that the pouncer comprises a plate or thelike 350, and this plate has an extended portion 35! in which is mounteda roller 352 about which a suitable strip of abrading material 353 iswound. The abrading material passes over the pad 354 carried by theplate 350 in order to provide a soft backing for the abrasive material.

This pad carries guide rods 355 which are similar to the rods I13 andare mounted in the same general manner within a housing 351. Extendingthrough this housing 351 there is a shaft 358 which carries a drivingpulley 359. Passing around this driving pulley 359, there is a drivingbelt 388 which passes around a pulley 36I carried by a stub shaft 362.Operatively connected with the pulley 38I there is a pulley 363, andpassing around the pulley 363 there is a driving belt 364 which alsopasses around the driving pulley 365 of a suitable electric motor 366.By this means upon operation of the motor 366, the shaft 358 is rotated.The shaft 358 carries a cam grooved member 361 and the housing 351,heretofore mentioned, is provided with a roller 368 which rides in thegroove of the cam grooved member 361. By this construction the housingand the pouncing head carried thereby is given a plurality of slightvibrations or reciprocations during operation to subject the hat crownbeing operated upon by the pouncing tool to an abrasive action. Thepouncing tools are maintained in engagement with the hat crown by meansof a tensioning mechanism, which includes the endless belts I94, aportion of each of which is shown in Figure 26. The crown lure is.identical in every respect with the crown ironers except as to theluring head itself, which is shown in detail in Figure 29 as comprisng ablock 388 having a body 38I in which is mounted a suitable heatingelement 382 supplied with an electric current by means of a suitableconductor 383. A suitable covering 384 which may be of canvas or anyother material is secured about the pad 38I preferably as shown inFigure 29.

The station 0, in Figure 1, is that station at which the finished hatcrowns are removed from the hat crown supporting spindles and at thislocation a suitable hat rounder may be employed. As best shown in Figure30, this hat rounder comprises a base 398 upon which is pivotallymounted as at Bill a knife carrying member 392, the knife thereof beingdesignated 393 and carried in a block 394 slidably mounted in a slot 395in the member 392, all of which is of conventional form and constructionin tools of this character. As best illustrated in Figure 10, the basemember 398 is rigidly secured as at 396 to a suitable supporting bracket391, which in turn is secured to the cam plate 53 as at 398. The pivotpoint 39I of the member 392 is located on the bracket 391, as best shownin Figure 10, and the member 392 is maintained in its elevated positionby means of a spring 399 which will, however, permit of depression ofthe member 392 into engagement with the hat crown brim for rounding thesame. In order that the brim may be evenly cut, the cam I28 heretoforedescribed, engages with a roller 488 mounted in an extension 48I of thebracket 391. By this construction, the hat crown supporting spindle willbe so rotated that the finished brim will be of the same width entirelyaround the crown of the hat form.

At this station, the gear 485 which is substantially the same as thegear I51, heretofore described, slides upon its shaft I56. In order toeffect sliding of this gear, a collar 486 is secured to the gear andsplined to the shaft I56. Pivotally mounted as at 481 there is a yoke488, and this yoke is connected to a link 489, the upper end of which isconnected as at M8 to a hand lever 4II pivotally mounted as at M2 to theleg 18 at this station. A spring 4I3 tends normally to force the link489 upwardly to maintain the gear 485 in driving engagement with thegear I48 normally to maintain the hat supporting spindle in rotation. Inremoving a hat crown from the hat crown supporting spindle, it isdesirable to stop rotation, and this is effected by lifting the outerend of the lever 4| I and through the medium of the link 489, rockingthe yoke 488 to its down position to disengage the gear 485 with thegear I48. A finished hat crown being removed, it is replaced with anunfinished hat crown and block after which the lever 4 is releasedpermitting the gears 485 and I48 to again mesh and drive the hat crownsupporting spindle.

In Figure 32 is illustrated the wiring diagram of the electricalapparatus employed in the operation of the machine and in said figurethe power line has two legs 588 and 58I. The reference numeral 582designates a double throw starting switch and this switch is normallyheld in the position in which it is shown by means of a resilient member583 which also serves to return the switch to its normal position aftera manual operation thereof. The numeral 584 designates a single throwstop switch which is manually operated, and which normally occupies theposition in which it is shown, to which position it is returned underthe influence of a resilient member 585.

The starting switch 582 consists of four contacts 586, 581, 588, and589. The contacts 586 and 588 constitute one pair of contacts, thecontacts 581 and 589 constituting another pair. The reference numeral5I8 designates a connector which is adapted to bridge either thecontacts 586 and 588 or 581 and 589 depending upon the operationthereof.

The stop switch 584 has two contacts 5I8 and 5 which are adapted to bebridged by a connector 5I2, which is normally held in engagegraesnt withsaid contacts by the resilient member The reference character 5I3designates a multiple contact switch which is of a conventional type andwhich is held normally in its open position by gravity and which ismoved to its closed position by means of an electro-magnet 5 I 4. Thisswitch 5I3 comprises four contact arms 5I5, 5I6, 5H, and 5I8. Thecontact arms 5I5 and 5I6 are connected by a conductor 5I9, the contactarms 5H and 5l 8 being connected by a conductor 528. When the switch isin its circuit closing position the arm 5I5 is adapted to engage acontact 52I; the arm 5I6 a contact 522; the arm 5I1 a contact 523; andthe arm 5I8 a contact 524.

The reference numeral 525 designates a switch imilar in construction andoperation to the switch 5 I 3 just described. This switch 525 is elec-Irically operated by an electro-magnet 526 which moves the same to itscircuit closing position, the switch being moved to its circuit openingposition by gravity. This switch 525 comprises a plurality of switcharms 521, 528, 529, and 538. The switch arms 521 and 528 are connectedelectrically by a conductor 53!, the switch arms 529 and 538 beingelectrically connected by a conductor 532. When the switch is in itsclosed position, the switch arm 521 is adapted to engage a contact 533;the switch arm 528 is adapted to engage a contact 534; the switch arm529 is adapted to engage a contact 535; and the switch arm 538 a contact536.

The reference numeral 531 designates a switch similar to the one 5I3,and this switch is moved to its closed position by an electro-magnet538, it moving to its open position, which position it normally occupiesby gravity. This switch 531 comprises a plurality of switch arms 539,548, 58!, and 542. The switch arms 539 and 548 are electricallyconnected by a conductor 543, the switch arms 541 and 542 beingelectrically connected by a conductor 544. When this switch 531 is inits closed position, the switch arm 539 is adapted to engage a contact545; the switch arm 54!] a contact 586; the switch arm 54! a contact541; and the switch arm 542 a contact 548.

The reference character 589 designates a switch similar to the switch5I3 and this switch 549 is moved to its circuit closing position by anelectrical magnet 550, the switch being held in its circuit openingposition by gravity. This switch 549 comprises a plurality of switcharms 55!, 552, 553, and 554. The switch arms 55! and 552 are connectedelectrically by a conductor 555, the switch arms 553 and 554 beingelectrically connected by a conductor 556. When this switch 549 is inits circuit closing position, the switch arm 55! is adapted to engage acontact 556; the switch arm 552 a contact 551; the switch arm 553 acontact 558; and the switch arm 558 a contact 559.

The reference numerals 560 and 56! designate two time switches. The timeswitch 560 includes two contacts 562 and 563 which are adapted to bebridged by a connector 564 operated by a conventional electro-magnet 565which is so arranged as to cause a lapse of a predetermined length oftime during the opening and closing of said switch 568. The switch 56!comprises two contacts 566 and 561 which are adapted to be bridged by aconductor 568 operated by an electro-magnet 569 similar in constructionand operation to the electro-magnet 565 above mentioned.

The reference numeral 510 designates a switch which includes fourcontact points 51!, 512, 513, and 514. A connector 515 is adapted tobridge either the contacts 51! and 512 or the contacts 513 and 514. Thisconnector is moved to position to engage the contacts 51! and 512 by asuitable spring or the like 516 and it has an extension 511, the purposeof which will be hereinafter more specifically described.

The reference numeral 518 designates a switch which has four contactpoints 519, 580, 58!, and 582. A connector 583 is adapted to connecteither the contacts 519 and 580 or the contacts 581 and 582. Thecontacts 588 and 582 are connected by a suitable conductor 584. Theconnector 583 heretofore mentioned, is urged normally in the directionof the contacts 519 and 580 by a suitable spring 585.

The reference numeral 586 designates an arm pivotally mounted at 581 ina suitable switch enclosing box or housing designated 588 in Figure l,and this lever is adapted to engage either of the two contacts 589 or590. The lever 586 is rocked about its pivotal point by means of a link59! connected as at 592 to a lever 593 fixed to a shaft 594 which issuitably pivoted in the housing 588. The shaft 594 is rotated by a lever595 connected to a vertically movable rod 596 which carries adjustableoperating blocks 591 and 598. This rod 596 is illustrated in Figures 10and 31 of the drawings, and as best illustrated in these figures, itpasses through a bracket 599 which is secured to the lift plate 56 as at680. Thus, as the lift plate raises and lowers, it will engage either oftwo collars 68! or 682 which are adjustably secured to the rod 596 andwill operate the same to reciprocate said rod for a purpose to behereinafter described. Rigidly carried by the shaft 594 there is an arm683 and the end 684 of this arm is adapted to operate the connector 583of the switch 518 in order to move the same to the position in which itis shown in Figure 32 when the rod 596 is moved downwardly by thedownward movement of the lift plate 56, it being understood that theconnector returns to position in engagement with the contacts 519 and500 as the rod 596 is moved upwardly by a spring 596 to rock the shaft594 in a clockwise direction and elevate the arm 603 when the lift platemoves upwardly. The reference character 605 designates a switch armpivotally mounted in the switch box or housing as at 686. One end ofthis arm 685 carries a roller 681, the other end of the arm carrying acontact 688 adapted for engagement with a contact 609. The roller 601 isadapted for engagement by either the block 591 or the block 598. Wheneither of the blocks 591 and 598 engages the roller 681, the switch arm605 will be moved to disengage the contact 608 with the contact 689.This is accomplished by reason of the fact that each of the blocks 591and 598 has a cam face 6 I 0 with which the roller engages. Leading fromthe contact 689 there is a conductor 609 which also is connected tocontact 514 of switch 510.

The leg 588 of the power line is connected to the contact 533 of theswitch 525, the leg 58! of the power line being connected to the contact535 of the switch 525. Connected as at 582' to the leg 50! of the powerline, and extending to the contact 541 of the switch 531, there is aconductor 503. Connected as at 6I5 to the leg 508 of the power linethere is a conductor 6I6. This conductor M6 is connected to the contactpoint 5! I of the switch 582, and this conductor includes the winding ofthe electro-magnet 5!4. Leading from the contact point 581 of the switch502 there is a conductor M1 and this conductor is connected to thecontact point 5I0 of the switch 582. Leading from the contact 589 of theswitch 582 there is a conductor 6I8, and this conductor is connected tothe contact 52! of the switch 5I3. The contact 52! of the switch 5I3 isconnected with the contact 523 and said switch by a conductor M9 andleading from the contact 523 of said switch 5I3 there is a conductor 620which is connected as at 62! to the leg 58! of the power line. Connectedas at 622 to the leg 580 of the power line there is a conductor 623.Connected to the conductor 623 as at 624 there is a conductor 625, andthis conductor 625 is connected to the contact point 51! of the switch518 and includes the winding of the electro-magnet 526 of the switch525. Connected to the conductor 625 as at 626 there is a conductor 621which is connected to the contact point 586 of the switch 582. Leadingfrom the contact 508 of the switch 582 there is a conductor 628, theother end of which is connected to the contact 563 of the switch 568.Leading from the contact 512 of the switch 518, there is a conductor 629and this conductor is connected to the contact 58! of the switch 518.Connected to the contact 513 of the switch 518 there is a conductor 630and this conductor is connected to the contact 519 of the switch 518.

The conductor 623 heretofore mentioned is connected to the terminal I63of the motor I63. Connected as at 658 to this conductor 623, there is aconductor 65! which is connected to the terminal 26 I of the motor 26 I.Connecting the terminal I63" of the motor I63 with the terminal 26!" ofthe motor 26! there is a conductor 652. Electrically connected as at 653to this conductor 652 there is a conductor 654 which is also connectedto the terminal 524 of the switch 5 I 3.

